When should you consult a doctor if you have a fever?

We all have this query about when you should visit a doctor if you have fever. Read to know what the doctor has to say.

What do you do when you feel a slight rise in your body temperature or fever?

1. Ignore it thinking that's nothing serious and get back to your routine.

2. Take rest by calling a day off and ensure you feel better at the end of the day.

3. Try your hands at home remedies for fever by looking for some miracle cure in your kitchen. Ask your mum if there are any surefire ways to get rid of fever or go online, google and try the natural remedies advised by 'Google Doctor'!

4. It's just a fever. Why go to a doctor when you can pop a paracetamol and wait for the medicine work (which is what the doctor will prescribe anyway).

5. Finally, when your fever fails to subside even after a day or two, and you start experiencing body pain or other symptoms, you think of calling up your doctor for an appointment.

Isn't this the procedure that most of us follow when it comes to dealing with fever?

But have you ever wondered when should you consult a doctor if you have fever? Should you consult a doctor on day one after you have a fever or wait for 3 - 4 days after you get a fever to meet the doctor. Well, here is what Dr Om Shrivastav, Consultant, Infectious disease and Immunology, Mumbai has to say about the right time to consult a doctor if you have fever. Also read about how long does a viral fever last?

According to Dr Shrivastav, 'One should consult the doctor on day one itself and not wait for the fever to subside naturally. This is because fever or high body temperature is a sign of an underlying infection. And in such a case, it is wise to know the cause at the earliest and get it treated. Most people do wait for at least 24 hours thinking that the fever might subside. However, there is no such thing because unless you treat the cause of the fever, which is just a symptom, it won't subside.' If you are thinking of popping a paracetamol to get some relief, then drop the idea as self-medication is not a good idea. Instead, consult your doctor, get tests done and take the medicines as advised by your general practitioner. However, in the case of kids, if it is not a viral fever or infection, giving paracetamol is justified to some extent. But to be on a safer side, do consult a paediatrician before you give any medicine to your kid. Here's more on fever in children 6 ways to deal with it.

Hence, whatever is the cause of the fever, you should NEVER ignore it and get treatment at the earliest.

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